Drunk American tourist's Nazi salute sparks German punch-up

Man travelling to Dresden from US punched after he gave Nazi salute in the city centre.

Dresden's Theaterplatz, including the Catholic Hofkirche church and Residenzschloss palace.Sean Gallup/Getty Images

German police say a drunken American male tourist was punched by a passer-by as he gave the stiff-armed Nazi salute multiple times in downtown Dresden.

In a statement on Sunday (13 August), a spokesperson for the City's police department said the 41-year-old – whose name and details were not revealed for privacy reasons - suffered minor injuries in the assault which took place on Saturday at 8:15am local time.

His assailant fled the scene, and is being sought for causing bodily harm.

The police added that the American tourist, who is under investigation for violating Germany's laws against the display of Nazi symbols or slogans, had an extremely high blood alcohol level.

It's the second time in August that tourists have gotten themselves into legal trouble for giving the Nazi salute.

On 5 August, two Chinese tourists were caught taking photos of themselves making the gesture in front of Berlin's Reichstag building.